SURPRISE! – vvardenfellcat

brothersofthedominion:

Aldaril did not quite catch what the khajiit said through his gagging and wheezing. “Woah, easy there, little fella.” Aldaril got up, helping the cat by patting his back, So at least he thought he was helping. “You really shouldn’t be inhaling the stuff like that, otherwise it’s gonna burn your lungs like a sunnovabitch.” He heard the slamming of another bottle next to him, as his little brother’s hands struggled to find an unopened bottle. He exhaled irritably, “You too Icarus…”

“Yer not m’ mum, Al. Ah thin’k ah c’n hhh’andle thish, shank yew very mush.”

Shaking his head hopelessly, Aldaril finally felt the drink kick in as he finished up his second bottle.

J’hasi mumbled miserably with the pats, letting his forehead thunk to the table as he tried to reorganize his thoughts. Of course he had taken the mer to be a soldier, but now with this new information taken into consideration… Hist help him… He had to backtrack and reassess every word, every action… It just sounded like so much work in his head as it grew foggier, the alcohol starting to hit him hard and fast.

The Khajiit cursed himself for drinking so much so quick, and cursed himself for not keeping his guard up like he knew damn well he should’ve. But…it had been nice, y’know? For once…he could pretend that everything was fine, that it was just him and a few acquaintances having a drink and a talk, even if the one was taxing on his nerves. Having that semblance of simplicity had been refreshing.

Damn that Altmer, with his politeness and charming personality.

“M’fine…” he finally managed to get out, though he was anything but. He planted a hand on the table to push himself up back to sitting upright, his head lowered and his ears laying flat. He winced as the shift caused a rush of dizzying alcohol to swirl within the confines of his skull before picking up his current bottle (…which one was this now…?) and tipping it back to drain it in one go. His voice was gravelly when he spoke again, his Dunmeris accent growing more pronounced the more the alcohol sank into his brain.

“Think tha’ shhhtuff ish f’nally hittin’ m’ ‘ead…” he slurred quietly.

running-from-regrets:

Her heart skipped a beat as the darker Khajiit regarded her; a slight ache of guilt weighing down her chest as she looked into those eyes for a moment. The cat didn’t wince when answered – something she would often do after asking a question – but instead beamed, her face lighting up at the knowledge that her guide would remain indoors and most certainly not in response to the smile she was offered.

Hopefully I can see you again.

She opened her mouth to utter those words, but instead unleashed a strained noise of hesitation upon realizing that perhaps the taller feline was simply being polite, and her presence was unwanted. After all, who would be around you willingly? M’nari’s lips pressed together in a fine line before her arms wrapped around her body; head turning in uncertainty.

The kitten stared at the ground in silence as she walked, brow furrowing as her brain ticked to figure out what to say. Eventually, her gaze returned to her companion; face bright once more while speaking. “Well, I hope you’ll be warm.” A pause for thought at her confession before stammering to correct herself; a look of exasperation on her features. “T-that is, um, I…I hope the buildings will keep you warm.”

For a moment, it had seemed like things were alright between them again, a small feeling of relief flitting through the elder Khajiit’s chest. But then it was gone almost as quickly as it came, like a stubborn rock wall placed between them, with only crumbling mortar holding it together. Rather than attempting to breach said imaginary wall, J’hasi let his smile fade a little and remained silent, his tail flicking quietly behind him.

When Dan’kuu finally spoke up again, his ears pricked with quiet interest. When she fumbled with her statement, starting to stammer, a smile grew on his face once more, chuckling a little towards the end.

“Well, if the buildings don’t do the job well enough, I’m sure I’ll find a way to keep my tail from freezing off.” he said quietly, the smile remaining even after he returned his gaze towards the smattering of buildings ahead.

It wasn’t much longer of a walk before J’hasi’s smile shifted into a confused frown, his brow furrowing as they approached a few thatched buildings. The buildings looked to be gathered around a crooked cobblestone street, the bend ahead presumably hiding where the bridge started, a bridge that would lead to what he had assumed was the rest of the city. It didn’t seem to be very populated out here, only a single guard was in sight, and most of the buildings appeared to be…empty.

‘Wait a minute…’ J’hasi looked to his left towards a banner fluttering in the breezes and snowflakes drifting down. That looked like the Jarl’s longhouse…and to his right…that looked to be the inn…

This wasn’t the entire town, was it? It couldn’t be. That would mean that the big stone building was…just the College, and nothing else.

“…xhuth…” the darker Khajiit muttered quietly, his eyes wide with shock. The realization was leaving him feeling a little hollow in his chest, almost akin to having the wind knocked out of him. J’hasi’s ears flicked back for a moment, eyes closing before he took a deep breath. He opened them to look at Dan’kuu, a shaky smile on his face, his ears cocked at a lowered angle, clearly looking distressed and trying not to show it.

“Well…I was sort of expecting the town to be…bigger…” he said weakly, his hands gripping his spear to keep them from shaking. The idea of entering the College seemed much more of a task than he had previously expected. His knees felt a little weak…

Tag: SURPRISE!

First Round – Icarus/Aldaril/J’hasi